FA Cup: Man City vs. Chelsea odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle
Staff Writer

Man City and Chelsea battle at Wembley Stadium in the semifinal of the FA Cup Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12:15 p.m. ET. Below, we preview FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Man City vs. Chelsea odds, and make our best EPL bets, picks and predictions.

While City, who sit atop the English Premier League, may have the statistical advantage, they are coming off a lengthy match against Real Madrid, playing 120 minutes and losing in penalty kicks Wednesday. City have played 7 games in the last 21 days. They are led by F Erling Haaland, who has 20 goals in 26 EPL matches but is a doubt for Saturday. City beat Newcastle 2-0 in the quarterfinals and Luton Town 6-2 in the 5th round to earn this appearance.

Chelsea beat Everton 6-0 Monday behind 4 goals from F Cole Palmer. Chelsea have won 2 of their last 4 games with the Blues drawing the other 2. They beat fellow EPL competitor Leeds United in the 5th round of the FA Cup 3-2 and then took down Leicester City 4-2 in the quarterfinals. Chelsea are led by Palmer, who has tallied 20 goals in 27 matches.

World class soccer coverage all in one place:Get ESPN+

Man City vs. Chelsea odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:20 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Man City -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Chelsea +390 (bet $100 to win $390) | Draw +320
  • Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +126 | U: -176)

Man City vs. Chelsea picks and predictions

Prediction

Man City 1, Chelsea 1

Moneyline (ML)

SPRINKLE DRAW (+320).

This is a competition City should want to win, and they've shown that, starting F Phil Foden and Haaland in the quarterfinal. However, M Kevin De Bruyne, Foden and Haaland all gave a lengthy performance Wednesday and have been used frequently as of late. De Bruyne and Foden should be tired and may show that Saturday. City have drawn 2 of their last 5 EPL matches.

As for Chelsea, while they are a strong underdog, they have won 3 of their last 5 games and haven't lost since a 1-0 defeat in the EFL Cup final against Liverpool. Chelsea have won or drawn 6 straight games, including a 4-3 home win over Man U April 4 and a 3-2 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge March 11. Chelsea have played well enough lately to suggest they can keep this game close.

Back DRAW (+320).

Over/Under (O/U)

BET ALT TOTAL UNDER 2.5 GOALS (+134).

Man City and Chelsea have played twice in the English Premier League, and those games couldn't have been much different. In the 1st, City and Chelsea drew 4-4, and in the 2nd, they drew 1-1. Against Newcastle in the quarterfinal matchup, City allowed just 1 shot on frame, while Chelsea allowed just 1 shot on frame in their quarterfinal battle as well.

City have allowed multiple goals in just 1 of their last 12 EPL games, so they have been able to consistently limit opponents. Expect more of that on both sides Saturday, and back UNDER 2.5 (+134).

Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group's website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter/X. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.